(1) BASIC FACTS
Independence,: 13 August 1960, former French colony of Oubangui-Chari Leader: Ange-Felix Patasse, born 1937, president since October 1993 Capital: Bangui (main river port and international airport) Other major cities: Berberati, Bouar, Bambari, Bossangoa Area: 622 984 km2 Population: 3,2 mn (1997) Population growth: 2,4% Urbanisation: 39% (1995) Languages: French, Sango (both official), Banda, Gbayi, Zande, Ngbaka HDI rank: 154 (1999) Life expectancy at birth: 44 years (1999) Adult literacy rate: 45% (1999) Gross enrolment ratio (all educational levels): 24% (1999) GNP: $1.1 bn GNPlcapita: $340 (1995) GDP (average annualgrowth rate): 1,0% (1990-95) Foreign debt: $944 mn (1995); as % of GNP: 84% Development aid: $151 mn (1995); as % of GNP: 18% Currency: CFA franc
Comments: A landlocked country with weak transport links to the outside world. The economy is based on agriculture (mainly coffee and cotton cultivation), timber cutting from the indigenous rain forests and the extraction of alluvial diamonds. In 1979 French troops helped to overthrow the notorious regime of Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who had crowned himself emperor. The first president, David Dacko, was reinstated but, in 1981, the army, under General Andre Kolingba, took over the government. Kolingba set up a single-party system until political pressure forced him to convene a national conference which culminated in multi- party elections from August to September 1993. Ange-Felix Patasse beat Kolingba in the presidential election and the party supporting him gained a majority of seats in the National Assembly. An army mutiny in 1996 led to French military intervention at the government's request. The French forces were replaced in 1997 by an inter-African peacekeeping force but the instability continued. In April 1998 a United Nations peacekeeping force was sent to the country. It was substantially reduced in 2000, although the country remained unstable.
(2) CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The current Constitution was adopted on 28 December 1994 and promulgated on 14 January 1995. The original text is in French and is available at droit.francophonie.org/BJ/ TexteHTM/CFO/ CFOC0001 A.htm
CONSTITUTION OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
PREAMBLE
The Central African People
Proud of its national, linguistic and cultural unity, which constitute the enrichment of its personality; Convinced of urgent necessity to preserve unity and peace, the most certain signs of economic and social progress; Animated by the wish of assuring to man his dignity with respect to the principle of "ZO KWE ZO" enunciated by the founder of the Central African Republic, Barthelemy Boganda; Conscious that only dedicated work and rigorous unconcealed management of public things are able to assure a harmonious and rational development; Convinced of the necessity of integration of African politics and economics according to a sub-regional and regional plan; Convinced that universal suffrage is the only source of legitimacy of political power; Resolved to construct a state of law founded on a true pluralist democracy, guaranteeing the security of persons and goods, the protection of the most feeble, notably vulnerable people, minorities and the full exercise of fundamental rights and liberties; Firmly desirous of forging ties of friendship with all people upon the basis of the principles of equality, solidarity of reciprocal interests and mutual respect of the national sovereignty as well as that of territorial integrity; Reaffirms its attachment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948, to the International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966, to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights of 27 June 1981, and to duly ratified international conventions; Affirms its willingness to co-operate in peace and friendship with all states, to work for African Unity conforming to the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, to promote the peaceful settlement of differences between states with respect to justice, equality, liberty and the sovereignty of peoples; Firmly in opposition by any means to conquest of power by civil or military force and to any dictatorial force.
TITLE I: FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY
Article 1 The human person is sacred. Every agent of public power has the absolute obligation to respect it and to protect it. No one may be arbitrarily detained. Every accused person is presumed innocent until his culpability is established at the end of a procedure which offers him the indispensable guarantees of his defence. The Republic recognises the existence of human rights as the basis of every human community, of peace and of justice in the world.
Article 2 The Republic proclaims the respect and the inviolable guarantee of the development of personality. Everyone has the right to the free development of his or her personality so long as he or she does not violate the rights of others, nor infringe the constitutional order.
Article 3 Everyone has the right to life and to bodily integrity. Liberty of the person is inviolable. These rights may only be affected by application of a law. No one will be submitted to torture or to inhuman, cruel, degrading or humiliating brutalities or treatment. Every individual and every agent of the state which is found guilty of such acts will be punished according to the law. No one may be condemned if it is not by virtue of a law in force before the committed act. The rights of the defence shall be freely exercised themselves before all the jurisdictions of the Republic. Every person being the object of a measure depriving liberty has the right to be examined and treated by a doctor of his or her choice if possible.
Article 4 Freedom of movement, of residence and establishment throughout the territory are guaranteed to all within the conditions fixed by law.
Article 5 All human beings are equal before the law without distinction of race, ethnic origin, region, sex, religion, political affiliation and social position. The iaw guarantees to men and women equal rights in all the domains. There are in the Central African Republic neither subjugated persons, nor privileges of place of birth, of person or of family. No one may be forced into exile. No one may be the object of assignment of residence or of deportation if it is not by virtue of a law.